Gay marriage amendment reconsidered

Supporters in House push for final vote

ATLANTA - Lawmakers opposed to gay marriage urged House leaders Tuesday to hold a final vote as soon as possible on the controversial proposal to ban same-sex legal unions in the state constitution.

''This is an issue that has generated a tremendous amount of interest across the state, which is why there is a need to pass it,'' said House Minority Whip Jerry Keen, R-St. Simons Island. ''It deserves to be voted on, and it deserves to be voted on soon.''

Two-thirds of the Democrat-controlled chamber, or 120 lawmakers, must support the proposed constitutional amendment before voters can have a final say in the Nov. 2 presidential election.

The resolution failed to pass in the House by three votes last week, prompting lawmakers Monday to call for a second vote.

However, before another full-House vote can occur, the proposal must pass once again through the House Rules Committee, where Chairman Calvin Smyre, D-Columbus, has so far declined to schedule a firm date for a second vote.

Smyre voted against the amendment on Feb. 26 and also opposed Monday's motion to reconsider.

All 236 lawmakers in the House and Senate face re-election this fall. The amendment passed the Senate 40-14 on Feb. 16.